Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The Advent Gnome


The Advent gnome made his appearance in our home again on Sunday, much to the delight of my little man. The Advent gnome has been a part of our Advent season for three years now, and every year he is greeted with much enthusiasm from Reece.

As we journey towards the light during the Advent season, Reece and I will share our light and love with others in many ways. Following along with the Advent verse we use, each week is dedicated to a different kingdom. The first week of Advent is the light of stones, so our activities are planned around stones. We hiked and collected rocks on Sunday, yesterday we made window stars, today we will make snowflakes, and there are plans to felt the rocks we collected on Sunday this week, and also a day to make crystals.

As we move into the second week of Advent we celebrate the light of plants, and so we will make orange pomanders, plant bulbs for forcing, cut down and decorate our tree, buy some plants to tend indoors during the winter and even enjoy a little dinner date together.

The third week of Advent focuses on beasts. We will hike and feed the birds one day, and other days will see us making bird feeders for the backyard, leaving salt licks in the woods for the deer, donating some treats to the animal shelter and even treating our chickens to a few treats.

During the fourth week of Advent we celebrate the human light, and so our activities will focus on sharing with those in our community. We will bake cookies and deliver them to our neighbours, we will shop for food for the food bank, we will pick up mitts and hats to donate to a local organization to help keep children warm this winter, we will shop online through World Vision purchasing a gift that will help bring a smile to a child's face in another country, and we will celebrate the Winter Solstice with friends, hiking, and enjoying good food, and a backyard fire.

As we move through this dark season my hope is that we share a little of the love and light we hold in our hearts with those around us through these simple daily activities.

30 comments:

  1. Your advent weeks sound wonderful. We will be doing similar things, following a similar journey alongside you!

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    1. Thank you! So wonderful to know others will be following a similar path through Advent.

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  2. Absolutely wonderful ... I share your so beautiful vision of Advent time.
    Wish you light and joy ! xo

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  3. I really enjoyed reading about all you have planned! You are truly celebrating Advent and I can't wait to read and see more about your activities! You are a wonderful mom!!

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    1. Aw, thanks Anke. I truly do love this time of year, and making it special for my little man feels so very right.

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  4. I love the gnome! I really really love the picture up top with all of the snow. So beautiful. Hope you both are staying cozy and warm.

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    1. Thanks Carlin! I wish all that snow as still here. I know it will be back soon, but I miss it already :)

      We are staying cozy and warm, lots of hot tea and knitting happening around here. Hope you guys are well too.

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  5. I need to share your Advent Gnome with Erin , I think Emerson would love this!

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  6. Know you share them through your blog as well :)

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    1. Aw, thank you my friend, you are so sweet. xo

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  7. What a beautiful way to celebrate Advent. Enjoy yourselfs.

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    1. Thanks Emma. I received your letter yesterday, that crystal was the highlight of our day, and perfect timing during the first week of Advent. Letter coming your way very soon. xo

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  8. I do love reading how you plan your days during this time. Lots of ideas! You sound like you are enjoying each moment with Reece.

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    1. Thanks Alexa. I have so much fun with all this planning, and working out the best way to make it meaningful for both Reece and I.

      I am doing my best. This transition has brought us much closer together, and we are soaking up each day to its fullest.

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  9. What a beautiful month you have ahead of you. Our calendar came out on Tuesday and Little Miss has been excited to unroll every little piece of paper. Through the next few weeks, we will be doing similar activities... some for fun, some for others, but always in the spirit of the season. Our solstice celebration may be a bit muted this year. We will keep it as a family since J has to work and N has school. But we are looking forward to a nice backyard fire, decorating our Solstice tree and being together.

    Wishing you a wonderful Advent dear Kim. xox

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    1. Thank you, so far it has been lovely, and we are enjoying the activities. Hope your Advent season is lovely my friend. xo

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  10. I do love the Advent Gnome!!and I like that the celebration of Advent is not just decorate the house but do something real to enjoy the true spirit of Christmas and Advent..

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    1. Indeed! And we are loving the activities so far :)

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  12. I love the advent gnome. It looks like this is going to be another full and memorable winter. Stay warm and shine on.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, indeed, and I am looking forward to it.

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  13. Your whole Advent sounds very special, it truly is a time of light and celebration with you both.

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    1. Thank you Sally. We are really enjoying the Advent season this year, and loving all the activities planned. So much fun!

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